Eight Killed After Tourist Taxi Plunges Into Gorge in Himachal Pradesh
A holiday trip turned tragic in Himachal Pradesh after a tourist taxi carrying two families lost control and fell into a deep gorge, leaving eight people dead.
A devastating road accident in Himachal Pradesh claimed the lives of eight people, including two children and the driver, after a tourist taxi veered off a mountain road and plunged into a deep gorge.
The accident occurred near Kalaban on the Bairagarh Sach Pass route in Chamba district. Authorities said the victims were members of two families from Bengaluru and Chhattisgarh who were visiting the hill state during the summer holiday season.
According to preliminary information, the families had rented a taxi in Dalhousie and set out to explore the snow covered areas along the scenic Sach Pass route. When the group failed to return as expected, concern grew among those waiting for them.
The taxi owner reportedly tracked the vehicle using its GPS system after losing contact with the passengers. The location data showed the vehicle stationary near Kalaban for an extended period, prompting him to alert the police. A subsequent search revealed that the taxi had fallen into a gorge.
Rescue operations have been challenging due to the remote location of the crash site. Officials said the area has poor connectivity and limited mobile network coverage, making communication and emergency response efforts more difficult.
Search and recovery teams, along with disaster response personnel, have been deployed to the site. Authorities continue to work in the difficult terrain to recover the victims and complete the rescue operation.
Reacting to the tragedy, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow and directed officials to intensify rescue and search efforts. He stated that emergency teams, local authorities and residents were working together to manage the situation and provide all possible assistance.
National Disaster Response Force teams have also been involved in the operation, while the state government continues to monitor developments closely. The exact cause of the accident is expected to be determined after a detailed investigation.
